A few journals thought that the North might eventually win in a prolonged struggle but that such a victory would be disastrous to the principles of federalism[109], and, in any case, that this civil war was one without "a noble cause to sustain either side[110]." By May nearly all the older journals were aligned on the right of the South to secede, and on the fact of a successful secession, though still differing as to the basic causes and essential justice involved.

In this same month, however, there emerged a few vigorous champions of the Northern cause and prospects.

In April the _Spectator_ agreed that the Great Republic was at an end[111]; in May it urged the North to fight it out with hope, asserting a chance of ultimate victory because of superior resources and the sympathy of all European nations[112].

A small newspaper of limited circulation, the _Morning Star_, organ of John Bright, had from the first championed the Northern cause.

Now, as the armed conflict broke in America, it was joined by a more important paper, the _Daily News_, which set itself the task of controverting the _Times_.